FIA race director and safety delegate Charlie Whiting has praised the plans for the circuit which will hold Russia’s first Formula One race next year.

Whiting was quoted by AutoWeek as telling local media: “I’m really impressed by the configuration of this track,” after conducting an inspection of the facility.

“The scale of the whole project is truly impressive,” he added.

The track in Sochi, on the Black Sea, will be completed after the region hosts next year’s Winter Olympics in February. The race on roads around the Olympic facility is expected to take place near the end of next year’s F1 season.